Robert A. Norcross, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Abstract: The present invention relates to in-line viscometers with no moving parts for monitoring the viscosity of fluids. One embodiment of the invention is a viscometer including a first tube, a second tube, a first flow metering device coupled with the first tube, a second flow metering device coupled with the second tube. The second tube is larger in diameter than the first tube. Another embodiment is directed to a method for maintaining a desired viscosity during a process.

Abstract: A falling piston viscometer which includes a measuring bushing and a piston configured to be slidably receivable inside the measuring bushing is provided herein. More specifically, the circumferential edge of first section of the piston in the described falling piston assembly is modified to allow for decreased friction and sensitivity. A lifting mechanism, in communication with the piston and piston rod, raises the piston to an upper piston position within the measuring bushing, upon instruction from a controller. Upon the piston being lifted, fluid is drawn into the measuring bushing. The controller is configured to maintain the piston in a raised position for a pre-programmed time, after which, the controller allows the piston to fall, by the force of gravity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger that includes a first, second, and third tube. The first tube may have a first cooling/heating medium inlet at a first end and a first cooling/heating medium outlet at a second end and the second tube is disposed about and concentric with the first tube. The second tube may have a fluid inlet on the same first end as the first tube and a fluid outlet on the same second end as the first tube. The third tube is disposed about and concentric with the second tube, and may have a second cooling/heating medium inlet on the same first end as the first tube and a second cooling/heating medium outlet on the same second end as the first tube. A clamping mechanism may be utilized to secure the tubes in their respective positions and allow the tubes to receive fluid and cooling/heating medium respectively.

Abstract: Described herein is a falling piston viscometer which includes a measuring bushing and a piston configured to be slidably receivable inside the measuring bushing. The circumferential edge of a first section of the piston in the described falling piston assembly is modified to allow for decreased friction and sensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mixers for viscometers and methods of using the same. Such inventions are applicable, for example, to industrial processes such as printing. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a viscosity control system including a viscosity sensor, a mixing element, a shaft fixedly attached to the mixing element, and an actuator interfacing with the viscosity sensor and the shaft. The annular mixing element is oscillatable about an axis lying in a plane tangent to a point on a wall of the mixing element. The shaft is centered about the axis. The actuator receives a signal from the viscosity sensor and rotates the shaft and the mixing element in an oscillating manner about the axis. In some embodiments, the shaft rotates through an angle of less than 360 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in-line viscometers with no moving parts for monitoring the viscosity of fluids. One embodiment of the invention is a viscometer including a first tube, a second tube, a first flow metering device coupled with the first tube, a second flow metering device coupled with the second tube. The second tube is larger in diameter than the first tube. Another embodiment is directed to a method for maintaining a desired viscosity during a process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mixers for viscometers and methods of using the same. Such inventions are applicable, for example, to industrial processes such as printing. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a viscosity control system including a viscosity sensor, a mixing element, a shaft fixedly attached to the mixing element, and an actuator interfacing with the viscosity sensor and the shaft. The annular mixing element is oscillatable about an axis lying in a plane tangent to a point on a wall of the mixing element. The shaft is centered about the axis. The actuator receives a signal from the viscosity sensor and rotates the shaft and the mixing element in an oscillating manner about the axis. In some embodiments, the shaft rotates through an angle of less than 360 degrees.

Abstract: The viscometer of the present invention comprises a chamber, and inside the chamber is secured a measuring tube and a falling piston. The piston has a lift plate secured to its top by means of a short small shaft. There are one or more lifting fingers, which operate through a defined distance large enough to raise the piston up and then drop back down to a base position thus leaving the piston free to fall by gravity to its lowermost position. However, the mechanical design is such that these fingers when lowered will not touch the actual piston itself. Mounted underneath the piston, when it is in its lowermost position, is a proximity switch that is used to sense when the piston is in its lowermost position. The time it takes to travel from its raised position to its lowermost position is a function of viscosity. The present invention combines the concept of a "falling member" with a compact bi-directional flow concept and an easily opened and cleaned measuring chamber.

Abstract: A device for automatically and continually monitoring the pH characteristic of a water based printing ink which uses a housing for a pH probe, which housing is placed in a flow line through which such ink is flowing, the housing having a main channel for ink flow and a recessed channel into which a pH probe member is inserted. A baffle is provided to direct a portion the flowing ink into the recessed channel in contact with the probe to continually monitor the pH of the flowing ink. A portion of the ink remains in the recessed channel when ink flow is stopped so that the probe surface is covered by the remaining ink and cannot dry out and reduce or destroy the effectiveness of the probe.

Abstract: A switching device which uses a pivotable switching element carrying a first magnet and a movable component carrying a second magnet mounted adjacent thereto, the north and south poles of the magnets being arranged so that, when the movable component is moved to a first location, the magnets attract and the pivotable element is in a first switch position and, when the movable component is moved to a second location, the magnets repel and the pivotable element is in a second switch position.

Abstract: Control circuitry utilizing first and second voltage sources and first and second circuits across such sources, one circuit having a first energizable element in series with a first diode arrangement and the other circuit having a second energizable element in series with a second diode arrangement. If the voltage difference from the sources is greater than a first value the first diode arrangement is conductive and the energizable element is energized, while if such voltage difference is less than a second value this second diode arrangement is conductive and the second energizable element is energized.